Bus operators need extended emergency funding to avoid radical cuts in services
Almost a third of bus services in England could be cutwithin weeks if the government does not make “critical decisions” to extend emergency funding, bus operators have warned. Bus services were supported by grants during the pandemic when customers were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, but funding is due to expire on 5 April, with passenger numbers still […]
More flexible support to maintain bus services in Scotland
A new grant will help maintain bus services while passenger numbers recover from the effects of the pandemic. From 1 April, the Network Support Grant will replace the COVID Support Grant, COVID Support Grant – Restart and the Bus Service Operators Grant to secure services as part of wider improvements to attract passengers back over the longer […]
Bus Back Better boost for Warrington
Warrington’s plans to transform bus services have received a huge boost, with the Government announcing that the town is in-line to receive significant Bus Back Better funding. It has not yet been confirmed how much money will be allocated to Warrington. However the announcement – made in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper – confirms […]
Go-Ahead targets career switchers with commitment to hire 1,100 apprentices this year alone
Go-Ahead has set a target to hire 1,100 bus and rail apprentices in 2022. It is encouraging applicants from all ages and career backgrounds. The announcement comes in advance of National Apprenticeship Week, a government-led initiative that highlights the positive impact of apprenticeships across the UK. The group is the biggest provider of apprentice training […]
Kent County Council awards Dover Fastrack project to Colas
Construction of Dover Fastrack, Kent’s first zero-emission bus service connecting Whitfield with Dover town centre and Dover Priory railway station is to start this month following the award of the construction contract to Colas UK Projects Ltd by Kent County Council (KCC). Work will begin on the scheme this month and is expected to take […]
Analysis by the Confederation of Passenger Transport reveals billions of pounds of shortfall in National Bus Strategy plans
New analysis has shown over a £5bn funding gap between plans by local authorities and bus operators to improve services and available government funding. To deliver the National Bus Strategy local authorities and bus operators were tasked with drawing up Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) to set out how, with government funding, they would work together to […]
Scottish Government confirms free bus travel for under 22s
All under 22s resident in Scotland will have access to free bus travel from 31 January 2022, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed, implementing a commitment agreed with the Scottish Green Party. New research commissioned by Transport Scotland shows that almost two-thirds (61%) of young Scots agree that access to public transport will play a […]
Bus Service Improvement Plans to enhance bus travel across the Peninsula Transport area
Peninsula Transport has welcomed proposals to enhance bus travel across the region as the five local transport authorities across the Peninsula Transport area submit Bus Service Improvement Plans to Government. Chairman of Peninsula Transport, Councillor Andrea Davis said: “Oh behalf of Peninsula Transport I would like to congratulate all our transport authorities for submitting their […]
Bus travel to change in Stoke-on-Trent with £90 million plan
Bus travel is set to change in Stoke-on-Trent with lower fares and new roads as part of a £90 million plan. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has worked with operators to draw up the bus service improvement plan, with which they hope to secure a share of government funding, Even before Covid-19, bus travel in the city had […]
Ireland to improve bus services in rural areas with Connecting Ireland project
Ireland is increase its bus services in rural areas to help solve the challenge of only two out of five villages have no public transport connection to their nearest town. Under the new plans, the number of services will increase by 25%’ and times will be rescheduled to suit both commuting and social trips. The […]